For many years we lived in grape country. Ask any grape farmer, there wouldn’t be a very good harvest without the pruning of the vines. Pruning made the new crop more full, lush and with better fruit. Cutting back the older vines made way for newer and more healthy growth.
When we try to apply this growth to our Christian walk it gets, well, more personal.

“But Lord, why are you cutting off that part of me? Hey, this is going to hurt! No, no, not THAT branch, please?”

Never mind that he is the master gardener, if you will, and knows exactly what within us needs to go, needs to be pruned, cut off.

“But that sounds so drastic, so final and permanent…”

Yep, it is and he knows just how much and when and which parts need to go for maximum growth in your life.

How did I get to be acquainted with all of this? Well, I think I am now taking a graduate course in “PRUNING”, actually a better title would be allowing pruning. Here come those nippers now and they are headed right for me, yikes!

What has He pruned in you lately? Probably the same things He has pruned in me. My mouth which has a tendency to spout off before my brain is engaged.

My fear when I begin "what-ifing" becuase I have basically stated that God can't or God isn't or somehow that His arms are too short when I know better but my what-ifing indicates otherwise, doesn't it?

Dying to the fear of man has been pruned right down to the nub but sometimes it seems to rear it's ugly head again.

The above are a few of my examples. What are some of yours?

Rest. Let your focus be Me. My peace I speak to you, daughter. Out of that stillness flows abundant life. Be still and know that I am God. Remember the season you are in? The pruning/productive season? Draw near to Me. Dwell in My Word. Selah.

Notice that the pruning season is not a season of loss but a productive season. Oh, how long it took to begin to see that you have to be pruned to grow the best, healthiest, sweetest fruit in your life and walk with Jesus. I am finally beginning to know this in my heart.

John 15:2
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (NKJV)

Acts 10:36
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. (NIV)

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (NIV)

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth…(NIV)

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to dwell in your Word, the Bible. And help me to dwell in You who are the living Word and to grow daily because of it and You! Please help me to hold still during the pruning process and allow You to do Your very best work in me. Thank You, my Savior. AMEN.

Saved by His grace in 1974, from 9 years of professing atheism into His loving arms. RN for 23 years, missionary with YWAM then statistical analyst for Every Home for Christ over 9 years. Living with my husband in the middle of a mountain meadow. GRIN! Wanting to spread the good news